From Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen:

Tuesday at Midnight was the close of the 2009 session. This is when the Governor had to decide what bills to sign or veto. You have likely already seen some of what was vetoed – especially if it was some piece in which you were interested. But as I told the press … what is more interesting is what he signed.

After all the talk of budget cuts and not raising taxes, the governor just signed what amounts to the most general fund spending in the history of Iowa. I find it truly remarkable that after all the talks of cuts more money was spent than ever before.

I think it was very regrettable that rather than use tough times to make tough decisions this General Assembly used it as an opportunity to grow government.

It is accurate to say Iowa cannot legally spend more than it takes in and House Republicans made sure that law was complied with. So where did this additional money come from? Answer: YOU, of course.

Much of it was “Federal Stimulus Dollars” – or tax payer dollars. Some of it was through increased taxes and fees – or tax payer dollars. And lastly, some of it was diversions allowed because of the Governor’s borrowing proposal, which of course will be repaid with – tax payer dollars.

I have told you this before, but at the risk of sounding redundant, this is not hollow criticism. In addition to not supporting this level of spending, House Republicans offered $337 million worth of what we still believe to be reasonable and responsible cuts in state government spending. Other than a few tokens – the majority party summarily rejected all of them.

The result? Next year your Legislature has to narrow a $1 billion gap between revenues and spending. That’s roughly an additional $333 for every man woman and child in Iowa.

Last week, the State Auditor also pointed out the frightening budget starring lawmakers in the face when we return next year. According to his numbers, this lack of spending restraint created a $1.062 billion spending gap in fiscal year 2011. Even if the remaining federal stimulus dollars are used to fill that gap, the state would need revenue to grow 15 percent to make up the difference. As a point of reference, the most recent revenue growth number the state has is negative 2.8 percent.

The budget woes created by Democrats were even highlighted in a recent article of the Des Moines Register where former state auditor, Richard Johnson said, “There’s only two options: One is to increase taxes, and the other is to reduce spending.”

Republicans will not support increasing taxes. House Republicans contend that just as our families back home are tightening their belts and cutting back, so too should the state government. Over the interim we will continue talking to Iowans about their ideas for budget savings and we’ll be prepared to reach across party lines and work with Democrats to continue to offer reasonable cuts to big budgets.

To read the auditor’s findings, click here:
http://auditor.iowa.gov/press/Briefing_05-18-09.pdf

Also, you may view the auditor’s presentation here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvmsvW6fbuY